Hi to one and all on PF ,

Yes just when you thought it was safe ..I am back , apologies to all for my lack of input recently due to personal concerns and especially to Stelios who kindly sent me the latest in the range of books that has been released by Mr BLACK Publications .

You have seen the posts from other members on this book so here is my thoughts on :

Title: Scale Model Handbook 2

Published by: Mr Black Publications

Editor : Stelios Demiras

Translated by: Thanos Mentzelopoulos

Proof Reading by : Charles Davis and Ken Jones

Artwork by: Maria Dimou

ISSN: 2241-1054

Price: 14.95 euro's plus shipping when ordered from the publisher

This volume is the 2nd in the series a companion to the Ist released 3 months ago ...here is my review of that volume : http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/scale-model-handbook-1-figure-modelling-1.46172/

As with the other volume this is in A4 format with a matt laminated soft covered consisting of a total of 50 pages (52 with covers) , printed on top quality paper with it being highly recommended on the cover by Pegaso.

This time we have 6 sections the models and techniques being featured are :

Pegaso's Roaming Knight (75mm) by Ernesto Reyes ....Mounted Figure using Acrylic's and Oil's

Alexandros's Blackbeard (75mm) by Alexandre Bonastre ....Simulating Fabrics and Material

Andrea's WW1 Stormtrooper (54m) by Grigoris Marmatakis ....Placement of figures in groundwork

Pegaso's Templar Knight (90mm) by Ernesto Reyes ...Painting a Medieval Figure

Gallery by Louis D'orio ....Includes the techniques he uses and colour mixes

Pegaso's Greek Mercenary (75mm)by Massimo Pasquali ..Getting the maximum from Oils

As with the 1st volume those that have kindly given their time up to share their knowledge and talents to the reader is a list not unlike the gold medal winners in the Olympics ...top of their profession .

Paper quality is as said top notch , the photographs and illustrations are set out on a dark background which might not be to everyones taste ...I like it .......it allows the very high quality colour reproduction to shine through IMO.

Presentation and production of the 2 books released so far have remained of a very high quality , its good to see this being maintained and shows I feel how dedicated the publishing team are .....WELL DONE to all .

When I received the book (as with the 1st) I was a little dubious about the translation of the text which has in some publicatons been lost a little , but absolutely no need to worry about this series ...hats off to Mr Davis and Jones ...a very easy read .

In amongst the articles are a mass of information on techniques and colour mixes , covering all area's ranging form the priming to fleshwork , clothing and groundwork .

I personally would have put the gallery at the back , allowing for all the articles to follow each other ..having said that the gallery is something else ..awesome to say the least and as with the articles inspring to all .

It would have been nice to have a napoleonic subject and a bust included in the articles as well within the book ..again my thoughts and I am probably a little biased as I love busts (there are some wonderful busts in the Gallery though!!)

Final Thoughts:

This is another great addition to the series and is a true insprational addition to anyones modelling libary ..full of colour and techniques , the extremely high standard has been kept up indeed if anything it has increased with this volume .

The range of articles covered are good (see my comments above) , presentaion is great and I have no hesitation to HIGHLY RECOMMEND this to all with any interest in figures ..no matter how good you are ...we all can learn something.

I wait with baited breath to see Volume 3 ...bring it on Mr Black Publications

Available from :

In the UK

Historex Agents (www.historexagents.com)

Bookworld Wholesale (www.bookworldws.co.uk)

In Germany via
Berliner Zinnfiguren (www.zinnfigur.com)

In Australia via
Firestorm Models (www.firestormmodels.com)

or contact Stelios direct via his website:

www.mrblackpublications.com


Nap

Hi Guys ,

Hot off the press (actually a pm from Stelios) ..we shall have napoleonics and more in volume 3 ...and

In the UK there is a new supplier :

El Greco Miniatures (www.elgrecominiatures.co.uk)

Good on you Matt and Celine

Christos ,
We will all be very happy indeed my friend

Nap